Be the New Church For the past thirteen months, many Disciples have been struggling with social isolation. They’ve stayed away from their various places of worship to protect the health and safety of themselves and others. It has been difficult. How have new church leaders responded? By launching communities of faith in creative and innovative … Continue reading Pentecost Offering
Finding a path to God with Ekklesia Global
Michelle Beech lives and works in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In her words, that’s not where she’s from, but that’s where God has her now. Due to her father’s career as a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she’s lived all over the United States. So it’s fitting that her new community of faith, Ekklesia Global, … Continue reading Finding a path to God with Ekklesia Global
Pentecost Offering
Be the New Church For the past thirteen months, many Disciples have been struggling with social isolation. They’ve stayed away from their various places of worship to protect the health and safety of themselves and others. It has been difficult. How have new church leaders responded? By launching communities of faith in creative and innovative … Continue reading Pentecost Offering
What a congregation for those impacted by incarceration can teach the church about welcoming all
Rev. Dr. Louis Threatt never thought he’d be a pastor. But that changed when he became a prison chaplain in North Carolina, where he noticed a disconnect between church and prison. In a recent video call with New Church Ministry, Rev. Dr. Louis tells us that there’s both a lack of prison ministries and congregations doing … Continue reading What a congregation for those impacted by incarceration can teach the church about welcoming all
Navigating death, intimacy, and the palpable nature of online church with Rev. Orlando Scott
New Church Ministry’s interview with Rev. Orlando Scott started later than expected. As a chaplain at Northside Hospital in Lawrenceville and Duluth, Ga., he had just spent time in comfort care with a dying patient and her boyfriend, who had been brought down from another floor. Rev. Orlando is busy turning on lamps in his … Continue reading Navigating death, intimacy, and the palpable nature of online church with Rev. Orlando Scott
Pentecost Offering
Celebrating 1,000 New Churches... and Counting! In 2001 the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada embraced a bold vision: to start 1,000 new churches in 1,000 different ways by the year 2020. And we did it! We started 1,000 new churches... and counting! Today, we have welcomed 1,034+ new faith … Continue reading Pentecost Offering
Doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly together in Des Moines
The New Church Ministry team met Rev. Debbie Griffin, the Senior Minister of Downtown Disciples, last summer at General Assembly (GA). Since the pastor’s congregation is based in Des Moines, IA, it offered worship services, hosted pre-assembly activities for general ministries, prepared a meal for regional ministers, and chaired the local GA mission committee. All of that as a … Continue reading Doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly together in Des Moines
Pentecost Offering
In 2001 the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada embraced a bold vision: to start 1,000 new churches in 1,000 different ways by the year 2020. And we did it! We started 1,000 new churches... and counting! Today, we have welcomed 1,034+ new faith communities into the Church. The Table … Continue reading Pentecost Offering
“We walk with our community:” How new church planters are doing ministry
UrbanMission, a joint congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), lies at the intersection of White Avenue and Ninth Street in Pomona, CA. The city sits just north of a men's prison, and is one of the areas in which formerly incarcerated individuals are released. South Pomona struggles with … Continue reading “We walk with our community:” How new church planters are doing ministry
The LabOratory Church provides a safe space for health, healing, and hope in Indianapolis
Rev. Amie Vanderford has experienced trauma. She knows what it’s like to distrust others; how damaging isolation can be to recovery. That’s why she and her husband, Thaddeus Shelton, launched The LabOratory Church. This new Indianapolis church offers safe space for those with mental illness to worship, cultivate strong connections and seek healing. New Church Ministry spoke with Pastor … Continue reading The LabOratory Church provides a safe space for health, healing, and hope in Indianapolis